Each year, across the nation and around the world, Robert Burns Night is held in late January in memory of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns. This year, the Lincoln Robert Burns Night fell on his birthday - January 25th. It is said the tradition started a few years after the poet’s death in 1796, when his friends commemorated his career on the date of his death (July 21) each year. So began the Burns Supper, and more than two centuries later it is has become a worldwide event with recitals of the poet’s works and haggis. A wee dram of Scotch is traditionally on-hand to help wash down the haggis.
Over 90 guests came to the Valley of Lincoln Scottish Rite. The evening began with cocktails and music by harpist Kim Meyer.
The evening formally began as guests entered the dining room under an arch of steel by the Knights of St. Andrew. David Bloomquist, 32° KCCH served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Robert Burns’ Selkirk Grace was given by Rev. Oscar Sinclair, 32°, who serves at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln. Rev. Jimmy Shelbourn of Westminster Presbyterian Church piped in the haggis with the Knights of St. Andrew. Adam Thayer, 32° recited Burns’ immortal Address to a Haggis:
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!
as Andy Seachords, 32° stabbed the haggis letting its juices flow over the platter.
Singer Chris Sayre performed a few Scottish and Gaelic songs as guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Doorstep Diner, with kailkenny mashed potatoes and braised cabbage, chicken with whiskey sauce and wild mushrooms, young vegetables with tarragon, followed by a ginger plum pudding.
Dowd’s Irish Dancers performed a few dances after dinner. Several of the dancers have performed nationally and teach Irish dance to students as young as five or six years old.
Knight Master for the Knights of St. Andrew Nick Furchert, 32° called up Past Knight Master Andy Seachord, 32°, presenting him an engraved KSA fly pin for his kilt in appreciation for all he has done for the KSA. Nick also recognized Andy’s fiance Brooke, presenting her with a gift certificate in appreciation for her support. Last, he presented Andy with a bottle of Balvenie’s Scotch, promptly appropriated by Brooke. Hopefully she will share with her husband-to-be!
Nick Furchert gave the Toast to the Lassies, with Brigette Corder, a Doctoral candidate in Biological Sciences giving the Reply to the Laddies.
The evening also featured a silent auciton, which included jewelry, Masonic books, gift certificates, a stained glass Square and Compass, all benefitting the RiteCare Speech Clinics, and raised about $500 for speech therapy.
After parting words from Venerable Master Edward Boone, 32°, singers Those Two closed the evening with several Scottish medlies, including Auld Lang Syne.
Next year’s Robert Burns Dinner will be on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at the Lincoln Scottish Rite Masonic Center.